New National Cycling Network will see 3,500km of safe bike corridors, connecting 2.8m people in cities and towns
Green Party candidate for Drogheda Rural, Anthony Murphy, has welcomed the launch yesterday by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan of a new National Cycle Network (NCN) which envisages the country being criss-crossed with 3,500 km of cycle routes, linking over 200 cities, towns and villages nationally.
“Drogheda will see cycle routes connecting Drogheda to Navan, Dundalk, and Skerries” Mr. Murphy said. “These routes will pass through the villages of Bettystown, Baltray, Termonfeckin, and Clogherhead along the way.”
“I am looking forward to being able to do my cycle commute from my home in Monasterboice to work in Dundalk in a safe protected bike lane. Currently, I am sharing the road with trucks and heavy traffic and with poor road surfaces at the margin.
“If we want to encourage more people to get on their bikes for everyday travel, then we need to see this level of infrastructure investment” Murphy added. “That’s why I will be making sustainable transport one of my top three priorities, if you give me your number one vote I will ensure that Louth County Council delivers on this vision.”
“… These new paths will make it so much easier for both tourists and locals to explore our wonderful nature and the heritage of the Boyne Valley. Louth County Council will be mainly responsible for planning and implementing the cycle network, which is why we must have a Green voice on the Council.”
The proposal nationally is to provide 85 corridors integrating existing and planned greenways and other cycling infrastructure similar to the Eurovelo routes which is a network of long distance cycle routes connecting and uniting the whole of Europe, as well as an extensive new network of safe cycle routes along existing roads.
It will also link to destinations such as transport hubs, centres of education, employment, leisure and tourist destinations, making it easier and safer for people throughout the country to choose cycling as part of their daily activities. The aim is that 80% of households and nearly 90% of jobs will be located within 5 km of the network.
It is envisaged that approximately 1,000km of the network will be ready by the end of 2030 as part of Phases 1 and 2 while the third phase will be implemented between 2031 and 2040.
Speaking at the opening of the latest extension to the Grand Canal Greenway – an 11 km stretch from Alymers Bridge to Sallins, Co. Kildare yesterday, Minister Ryan said:
“This national cycling network will act as a core spine, connecting towns, cities and destinations across the country with safe, segregated cycling infrastructure wherever feasible. I think this will really help to encourage cycling confidence and in turn the number of trips taken by both walking and cycling amongst locals, leisure users, and tourists alike.”
